Programmable management IO pads for an integrated circuit
First Claim
1. A method for programming a transceiver, comprising:
- accessing MDIO instructions that specify a first electrical specification for the transceiver;
executing the MDIO instructions to configure a programmable IO pad disposed on the transceiver;
sending or receiving data at the programmable IO pad in accordance with the first electrical specification; and
configuring a first programmable MDIO pad and the programmable IO pad to operate at different voltages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-port SERDES transceiver includes multiple parallel and serial ports, and the flexibility to connect any one of the parallel or serial ports to another parallel or serial port. The ports include programmable pads that are capable of supporting multiple different data protocols, timing protocols, electrical specifications, and input-output functions. A management data IO pad also enables the transceiver to support different electrical requirements and data protocols at the same time. The substrate layout of the transceiver is configured so that the parallel ports and the serial ports are on the outer perimeter. A logic core is at the center, where the logic core operates the serial and parallel data ports, and the bus that connects the data ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the data ports.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for programming a transceiver, comprising:
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accessing MDIO instructions that specify a first electrical specification for the transceiver; executing the MDIO instructions to configure a programmable IO pad disposed on the transceiver; sending or receiving data at the programmable IO pad in accordance with the first electrical specification; and configuring a first programmable MDIO pad and the programmable IO pad to operate at different voltages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for configuring a programmable pad for a protocol, comprising:
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receiving, at a logic circuit coupled to the programmable pad, a first control signal having instructions for the protocol, wherein the protocol is associated with communication between the programmable pad and another pad; executing, at the logic circuit, the instructions to implement the protocol; and receiving, at the logic circuit, a second control signal having an instruction to determine a function of the programmable pad, the function one of an input and an output.
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9. A system for configuring a programmable pad for a protocol, comprising:
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the programmable pad; and a logic circuit coupled to the programmable pad and configured to execute instructions to implement a protocol associated with communication between the programmable pad and another pad, the logic circuit having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the first port configured to receive a first control signal having the instructions, the second port configured to receive a second control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an input, and the third port configured to receive a third control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an output. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for reconfiguring a programmable pad from functioning as an output to functioning an input, comprising:
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stopping receipt, at a logic circuit coupled to the programmable pad, of a first control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an output; receiving, at the logic circuit, a second control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an input; and executing, at the logic circuit, the instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as the input.
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14. A system for reconfiguring a programmable pad from functioning as an output to functioning an input, comprising:
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the programmable pad; a logic circuit coupled to the programmable pad and configured to execute an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an input, the logic circuit having a first port and a second port, the first port configured to receive a first control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an output, and the second port configured to receive a second control signal having the instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as the input; and a control register configured to generate a third control signal to stop transmission of the first control signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A transceiver, comprising:
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a programmable input-output pad configured to support at least one of different electrical specifications, different data protocols, different timing protocols, and different input-output functions; and a management data input/output pad programmable to configure, via an integrated circuit, the programmable input-output pad to comply with the different electrical specifications and the different data protocols. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A system to configure a programmable pad, comprising:
a logic circuit configured to stop receipt of a first control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an output; receive a second control signal having an instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as an input; and execute the instruction to cause the programmable pad to function as the input.
Specification